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Journalism of Courage
The fragrance of Dhunuchi (a bengali incense burner), the aroma of Govindabhog rice and sona moong welcomes the arrival of Durga Puja in Pune. As the dhakis (traditional Bengali drummers) arrive from Kolkata, Pune Kalibari with its devotees bridges faith, heritage, and community. For many, it is not just Durga Puja—it is a celebration of identity, belonging, and collective service.
At the heart of the city’s Bengali community stands Pune Kalibari, which this year celebrates the 86th year of its Sarbojanin Durga Puja—a tradition that began in 1939 in the Khadki area and has grown into one of Pune’s largest and most inclusive cultural gatherings.
Speaking about the origins, Anup Dutta, secretary of Pune Kalibari told The Indian Express, “The first puja in Pune was held in Khadki in 1939, started by a few Bengali businessmen along with doctors from the Military Hospital. Over time, the puja grew, and in 1979, we took this land on official lease from the Army, about 10,000 square feet. The Bengali Club of Khadki merged with Kalibari, and since then, this has been our home.”
From its early years, Kalibari has been more than a religious space, it is a hub of community and cultural life. Dutta, who has witnessed the Silver Jubilee, Golden Jubilee, and even served as secretary during the Platinum Jubilee, said the puja has maintained its spirit despite changes. “This is not just a club’s puja, this is Maa’s puja. Devotees automatically get involved, it becomes seva (service), not just participation,” he explained.
Kalibari has also made its mark through social initiatives. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the temple distributed over tonnes of food grains to those in need. Its Durga Puja celebrations, meanwhile, are known for their themed pandals. This year, the pandal has been designed as a replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, with artisans from Kolkata arriving months in advance to work on the decorations.
The inauguration of the pandal, held on September 22, carried its own unique touch. “Every year, we have the inauguration done by paraplegic war soldiers from Pune’s largest Paraplegic Centre. They are our real heroes. We never bring anyone from outside for the inauguration,” beamed Dutta with pride.
While Kalibari is deeply rooted in Bengali traditions, it has become a shared celebration for Pune’s multicultural-multilingual fabric. Today, the temple counts more than a thousand members, including Bengalis, Marathis, Gujaratis, Punjabis, and South Indians. “Many non-Bengalis are life members. They mix well with us, volunteer, and even sponsor and donate. Brands like Union Bank and Bank of Maharashtra support us too,” Dutta noted.
Dutta also added that the Durga Puja here is also one of the big-budget pujas in Pune, running at nearly Rs 1 crore, including recurring assets and expenses. The grandeur extends beyond worship, with cultural programmes, bhog (sacred meal) distribution, dhunuchi dance, bengali folk dances and competitions for children. This year, cultural evenings will feature Kolkata-based singer Sagnik Sen, and performances by artist Arpita Chakraborty.
Despite the scale, Dutta expressed his concern about the future. Having served as general secretary since 2013, he wants the younger generation of Bengalis in Pune to step forward. “If Bengalis are part of the core committee, we can preserve our priests, our rituals, and our culture. Otherwise, it will all get diluted,” he said.
